Gophers’ Eastern drafted by Seattle in seventh round
Former University of Minnesota defensive lineman Deven Eastern, a Shakopee, Minn. native, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, No. 242 overall, on Saturday.
Eastern makes it eight straight years in which a Gophers player has been drafted. He’s the fourth Gopher drafted by Seattle, joining Boye Mafe in 2002, Chester Cooper in 1982 and George Adzick in 1977. Mafe played four seasons with the Seahawks, winning the Super Bowl with the team after last season, but signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in March.
Eastern checked in at 6-foot-5 1/4 and 315 pounds during the draft process. The defensive tackle started 13 games last season for Minnesota and had 38 tackles. He had five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He was named an honorable mention for All-Big Ten and participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL scouting combine.
Eastern is the 20th player drafted by Minnesota who played for coach P.J. Fleck and the 284th Gopher drafted all-time.
